Adaptable Accessible Camouflage Storage Unit

ABSTRACT

A camouflage system for concealing objects in plain sight, including a waterproof, airtight, and weatherproof container, a collection of artificial and/or natural camouflage materials, e.g., leaves, brush, plants, moss, grass, weeds, etc., and an attachment system for attaching the ground cover materials to the container, preferably reversibly. A user may take advantage of a naturally occurring depression or can dig a small depression in the ground just large enough to fit the container, attach the ground cover materials to the container, place the camouflaged container in the hole/depression, then arrange the existing ground cover to surround the camouflaged container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates in general to a camouflage systems and structures, and more particularly to a camouflage structure capable of altering its appearance not just modularly by being changed by hand quickly but uniquely in its potential to come out of a dormant state and begin to grow into the surrounding environment.

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE BACKGROUND

Camouflage, having capability of concealment and deception, works by tricking the eye and brain, taking advantage of the way they recognize color, volume and shape. Because only a small area of the eye perceives color, the brain does a lot of filling in as it processes images. Camouflage takes advantage of this by helping an observer see the pattern as part of the background. Thus, camouflage also capitalizes on the nature of man to assume that he knows what he is looking at and that no further inspection is required.

The only concealment options currently available for waterproof, airtight, weatherproof containers and bags are those with generic 2-D camouflage patterns. There are multiple sizes, styles and manufacturers of these products. However, the 2-D camouflage containers and bags currently manufactured need to be buried or completely covered with some form of concealment. This leads to the problem of quick recovery and access. That is, current camouflage systems require significant time and effort both for concealment and retrieval of the hidden possessions.

Prior configurations fail to create a realistic depiction of a particular environment because the images within the configuration are arranged in a synthetic relationship on a computer. Prior art configurations fail to create realism because they fail to create an environment scene of Mother Nature. Many times the prior art only contains various objects of a selected environment without proper realistic assimilation of the elements of the environment. The prior art is developed primarily in a computer room with various photographic images and is almost entirely synthetically created. This synthetic creation takes away from the realism of the art. Every time a portion of the prior art is altered with a computer from its original natural state it loses its realism, particularly depth. As a result, the currently available camouflage patterns totally lack realism.

There are easy access options for storage of various valuables on the market that mimic consumer goods such as soda cans, books, cans of potato chips or shaving cream. However, these products look out of place in the outdoors, are not element-proof, and do they do not create the illusion of nature. They are not modular and reconfigurable for multiple environments. They do not have the potential to propagate or become one with the environment. There is no design available that is 3 dimensional, organic, and has the ability to propagate and become a living part of the deployment environment. Not even a Ghillie design of camouflage can do that.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the limitations of prior art camouflage systems. In view of the disadvantages inherent in the prior art camouflage systems, the present invention provides an improved adaptability.

The invention is a camouflage system and kit for concealing objects in plain sight. The invention consists of 1) a waterproof, airtight, and weatherproof container, preferably of the type that can be obtained from various retailers, 2) a collection of artificial and/or natural ground cover materials suited to the particular environment where the concealment is to take place, e.g., leaves, brush, plants, moss, grass, weeds, etc., and an attachment system for attaching the ground cover materials to the container, preferably in a reversible fashion, although this is not necessary. According to use, a person may take advantage of a naturally occurring depression or he/she can quickly dig a modest depression in the ground just large enough to fit the container, select the ground cover materials suited to the particular environment, attach the ground cover materials to the top of the container, place the camouflaged container in the hole/depression, then arrange the existing ground cover to surround the camouflage materials affixed to the invention.

According to the present invention, the user is not limited to what the manufacturer provides. This is truly ideal for multiple environments and long-term deployments.

If the user has multiple pieces of the modular camouflage system of the invention, the pieces can be used together to extend the environmental illusion of belonging to the deployment area. Magnets or Velcro attachment can be employed for fast and easy attachment and detachment of various types of camouflage. By constructing it in this manner the end user is able to customize the capsule, container for the most appropriate form of camouflage determined by the environmental circumstances the end users find themselves in.

The present invention is not designed to be worn as a garment. The present invention is designed to remain stationary and to blend, propagate and biodegrade into the environment to become indistinguishable and adroitly invisible.

Minimum requirements of the container: Waterproof, Airtight, and Weatherproof.

Crushproof is not an absolute requirement depending on intended deployment area. Containers may be hard or soft. Can be any size, but most easily and readily deployed with generally portable containers, generally the size of large kitchen Tupperware containers and smaller.

If it is a hard dry box it can be deployed either completely above ground or the user may take advantage of a natural depression in the terrain or dig a shallow hole deep enough to conceal the bottom of the container yet retain unobstructed access to the lid latch for fast easy retrieval of contents.

Compared to prior art camouflage systems, the time it takes to conceal objects via burial or traditional camouflage methods is reduced to a fraction of the time. Little to no preparation and setup is required, depending upon the circumstances of the end user.

Knowledge of terrain, flora and fauna indigenous is the only prerequisite for successful deployment and concealment. The present camouflage system creates the illusion of always having been there. Even if the target area is familiar to enemy forces, the chances of detection are very low. Objects concealed using the camouflage system of the present invention have the capability of being in plain sight every day and yet being overlooked.

In order to achieve the goals of camouflage including but not limited to: 1) creating the realistic appearance of depth; 2) matching of the desired environment; 3) versatility of images; 4) versatility of colors; 5) concealment in the selected environment; 6) proper separation of objects in the camouflage (not too busy and not too open); 7) a pattern repeat that does not take away from the effectiveness of the pattern or the marketability of the pattern; and, 8) creating the most realistic camouflage possible, the inventor must leave the computer room and spend his/her entire time in the field. The current inventors are hunters and photographers and create their camouflage patterns almost entirely in the field, which is the best place to create the most realistic image.

One of the inventors' primary goals of the camouflage is to create realistic depth within the camouflage. Realistic depth is the most important aspect of camouflage. Depth within a surface is not associated with danger and, therefore, is the most important aspect of camouflage.

The invention can be used to conceal objects of any size (within reason). The camouflage can be customized for any terrain since moss and lichen is found in almost all climates. Velcro attachment system provides for ease of attachment and removal of the camouflage elements from the storage container without the potential drawback of a magnetic field, giving the user the ability to have several different options: change camouflage to a different style, remove camouflage for relocation and storage, return product back for warranty repairs, or whatever the situation requires such as changing from one style of container to a new different style container or object to be concealed.

The invention can be used to conceal electrical wires, cables, antennas.

With external battery packs now available, the invention can be used to conceal surveillance cameras for law enforcement needs, wireless routers and access points, for cyber warfare equipment and other requirements that would benefit from a temporary power source. The only limitation to the use of the invention to conceal such items is power consumption and ability to gain and retain persistent physical access to the target area.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows . . .

FIG. 2 shows . . .

FIG. 3 shows . . .

FIG. 4 shows . . .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The materials used in construction are:

Storage Units—pre-manufactured containers are what we are attempting to conceal in the outdoor environment.

a. Waterproof, Weatherproof, Airtight containers and bags (LokSak brand bags, Pelican Dry box). Preferably, but not necessarily crush-proof.

b. Specialized Tube container that is designed to be placed into the ground and have objects placed within that can be removed without removing the tube from the ground. Simply unscrew the top and the cord that is attached to the cap is pulled upwards followed by the specially designed internal platform that forces all objects placed inside upwards and out of the tube. This internal platform is made to rest all the way at the bottom of the tube while in a state of non use.

Camouflage Materials

c. Burlap

d. Organic indigenous materials, i.e. sticks, leaves, briar bushes, bark, vines, grass, assorted natural debris, etc.

e. Synthetic Moss

f. Preserved Color enhanced organic Moss

g. Preserved Spanish Moss

h. Moldable thermoformed plastics for elements of the tube design

i. ParaCord or fishing line for the endcap to internal platform connection utilized by my tube containers.

j. Various adhesives are being used and tested for best durability in environment. (Locktite Spray adhesive professional strength, High temp hot glue, Low temp hot glue are the most used at this time)

k. Velcro strips or Neodymium Magnets (recently added to prototype 2) to facilitate fast and easy removal of camouflage covering from containers for storage and travel or being placed onto another style or design of concealment.

3. Attachment systems

l. Hot Glue, low temp or high temp

m. Spray adhesive

n. Velcro

o. Neodymium Magnets

Potential users:

Military: Concealment of mission critical equipment, Perimeter security measures such as BoobyTraps and landmines. Fighting positions ,Machinegun nests, Forward observation posts. Sensors such as motion detectors, video surveillance.

Covert Operations: Dead Drops that contain intelligence data, alternate identification, weapons, or whatever maybe required for the mission.

Law Enforcement: Survelliance equipment such as video cameras, listening devices, cyber-surveillance equipment.

Survivalists: Easily accessible weapons/ammunition caches, Food caches,

Outdoorsmen: Safe keeping of valuables while on the trail. Lightweight and easy to pack.

Private citizens: Keeping valubles close by and accessible, yet not in the house. Such as firearms, Jewelery, money, Passports.

Gen 1.0 (original design): Nonremovable camouflage that was permanently affixed to the Hard container

Gen 1.1 (Removable Cover): The ability to remove and replace various forms of camouflage we have designed to better meet the potential need to change the deployment environment or location.

Gen 1.2 (Power Pack): The ability to add a external battery for powering

Gen 1.3 (Soft protection): Utilizing Loksak pouches to maintain a environment proof container that is also lighter and easier to pack and carry.

Gen 2 (RFID)

Uses

Modular design for reconfigurations

Multiple smaller covers attached to netting to achieve larger more enhanced illusion\blending effect.

Foxhole Cover

Dig hole and make frame of netting to cover the top of the foxhole/spider hole dug.

Human wearable Camouflage

Landmine concealment

Landscape reconfiguration effects camouflage

Hide items in plain sight

Embodiments:

Do-it-yourself kits custom tailored to geographical location/region/target deployment area for end user to assemble /design as desired, includes hard or soft container, different artificial and/or natural camoflouge materials, e.g., leaves, grass, moss, snow, and attachment systems, e.g., glue, Velcro, or Magnets.

Custom Made to Order: A service is provided according to which the customer provides a picture and description of desired deployment location/area via mail, email, FTP, Text, etc, and a custom solution is assembled and shipped to the customer.

Preassembled and sold as is to & by independent retailers at various locations. (Hucksters, Gun shows, Sporting Goods stores,)

Preassembled display table custom made to show product strengths and design adaptability, originality and ingenuity

Interchangeable design covers

Sold as seasonal effects in pre-assembled or DIY form. 

1. A camouflage kit comprising waterproof, airtight, and weatherproof container, a collection of artificial and/or natural camouflage materials, and an attachment system for reversibly attaching the camouflage materials to the container.
 2. The camouflage kit according to claim 1, wherein the camouflage materials are bendable and formable to a plurality of different terrains.
 3. (canceled)
 4. (canceled)
 5. The camouflage kit according to claim 1, comprising organic elements that have the ability to wake from a dormant state and begin to grow or propagate into a chosen deployment environment.
 6. (canceled)
 7. (canceled)
 8. The camouflage kit according to claim 1, the container comprising a removable top configured to allow access to and removal of all contents of the container without removal of the container from a deployment location.
 9. (canceled)
 10. (canceled)
 11. The camouflage kit according to claim 1, comprising RFID tags situated in or on said containers to facilitate inventory and location. 